Reconfigurable Toy

ABSTRACT

A doll or figurine comprising a chain of mutually pivotable elements at least two of the elements which are not adjacent in the chain being releasably attachable together such that the toy can be configured in different shapes, and at least one of the elements being formed as part of a representative object such that the toy is configurable as the representative object.

This invention relates to a reconfigurable toy, which can preferably beconfigured in the form of a doll or other figurine as well as in otherforms.

Reconfigurable figurines are known. It is an aim of the invention toprovide a reconfigurable toy having amusing features of novelty.

The present invention provides a toy comprising a chain of mutuallypivotable elements, at least two of the elements which are not adjacentin the chain being releasably attachable together such that the toy canbe configured in different shapes; at least one of the elements beingformed as part of a representative object such that the toy isconfigurable as said representative object.

The representative object may in particular comprise a doll or figurine,the part comprising, for example, a head and/or feet of the doll orfigurine. A head of the doll or figurine may comprise at least two discsjournalled for rotation about a common central axis and each attached toan adjacent element in the chain. The term “figurine” as used in thisspecification includes male, female, animal, fantasy and cartoonfigures.

The elements may comprise beads, which may represent objects such asshells, flowers, leaves, stars and the like.

In a particular embodiment, at least two of the releasably attachablenon-adjacent elements are located at ends of the chain such that theends of the chain can be attached together, forming for example abracelet or necklace. Two or more such toys can then be connectedtogether.

At least one clip may be provided for releasably attaching thenon-adjacent elements of the chain together. Alternatively oradditionally, the releasably attachable non-adjacent elements may bereleasably attachable by magnetic force. If so, at least one andpossibly each of said elements may contain a magnet.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, particularembodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a toy according to the invention, configured as a doll;

FIG. 2 shows the toy of FIG. 1, configured as a necklace;

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the doll of FIG. 1 wearing clothes;

FIG. 5 shows an alternative toy, configured as a dog;

FIG. 6 shows the toy of FIG. 5, configured as a bracelet;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are respectively cross-sectional and perspective views ofa bead used in forming the toys of FIGS. 1 to 6;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are respectively part-sectional and perspective views ofalternative beads;

FIG. 11 shows a further alternative toy, configured as a mermaid;

FIG. 12 shows the toy of FIG. 11 in an open configuration;

FIG. 13 shows a bead for forming the toy of FIGS. 11 and 12;

FIG. 14 shows another alternative toy, configured as a monster;

FIG. 15 shows the toy of FIG. 14 in an open configuration;

FIG. 16 shows another toy according to the invention; and

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of a releasably attachable bead of the toyof FIG. 16; and

FIG. 18 shows the toy of FIG. 16, configured as a necklace.

FIG. 1 shows a doll formed from a chain of beads 1 permanentlysnap-fitted together and capable of mutual pivoting in the planeoccupied by the chain. In this example, cross-shaped clips 2 join thechain at the shoulders and torso of the doll. The cross-shaped clips arepermanently attached between two beads 1 at one point of the chain, andreleasably engage the chain between two beads at another point. A head 3of the doll is formed by three substantially co-extensive discs, whichare rotatable about a central screw or rivet (not shown). A front one ofthe discs bears a face 4 of the doll. Alternatively, a slot can beprovided for insertion of a photograph, e.g. a photograph of a face. Thedisc can be openable, the head 3 comprising a locket for storage. Middleand rear discs each have extensions 5 pivotably attached to beads 1 ofthe chain. Hands of the doll are formed by hook-shaped clips 6 at eitherend of the chain. Feet 7 of the doll each rotate about an ankle part 8arranged between two of the beads 1. Optionally, the doll can beprovided with removable and replaceable shoes.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the cross-shaped clips 2 are disengaged, thetoy can be reconfigured as a loop, e.g. forming a necklace, by clippingtogether hook-shaped clips 6. In order to achieve this the middle andrear discs of the head 3 are rotated with respect to the front disc.

Alternatively, clips 6 can be used to attach together two similar toys,forming a longer necklace or decorative chain, e.g. to decoratebedrooms. This renders the toys of the invention collectable. Aplurality of toys can also be attached to each other at multiple pointsusing the cross-shaped clips 2, forming interesting shapes.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show how clothing elements can be snap-fitted to the dollof FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows a top 9 and trousers 10 and FIG. 4 shows a dress11. In a similar, hair styles (not shown) can be snap-fitted to the head3 of the doll.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show an alternative toy, formed from elements similar tothose of the toy of FIGS. 1 and 2, but configurable as a dog (FIG. 5) ora bracelet (FIG. 6).

FIGS. 7 and 8 show an example of a bead 1 for forming the toys of FIGS.1 to 6. The bead comprises two generally hemispherical portions 12, 13,joined by a web 14. A peg 15, protruding from the flat surface of thefirst hemispherical portion 12, can be permanently snap-fitted into athrough-hole of an adjacent bead (not shown—the through-hole of the beadshown in FIG. 7 is designated by 16), allowing relative rotation of thebeads 1 about the peg 15. The attached hemispherical portions ofadjacent beads have a spherical appearance.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show alternative beads allowing greater freedom ofmovement between adjacent beads. The bead comprises a generallyspherical part 17 incorporating a socket 18. A radial protrusion 19bears a ball 20, which is permanently and pivotably engageable in thesocket 18 of an adjacent bead.

FIG. 11 shows an alternative toy configured as a mermaid and formed fromshell-shaped beads 21. FIG. 12 shows this toy in an open configuration.As shown in FIG. 13, beads 21 are formed from two shell-shaped portions22 joined at one edge to define a cavity 23 therebetween and having apeg 24 projecting from the joined edge. The peg of one bead ispermanently engageable in the cavity 23 of an adjacent bead and canpivot through 180° with respect thereto.

FIG. 14 shows a toy in the form of a monster. In this embodimentelements of a chain comprise body parts 25. Adjacent parts arepermanently plugged together in the chain and pivot with respect to eachother with light friction. In addition, some of the parts 25 which arenot adjacent in the chain are snapped together in the configuration ofFIG. 14. As shown in FIG. 15, when these non-adjacent parts 25 aredisengaged, surfaces 26 thereof which are hidden in the configuration ofFIG. 14 and which represent the gory insides of the monster arerevealed. The head of this toy differs from the heads of the embodimentspreviously described in that it is moulded as a three-dimensional part.

FIG. 16 shows a toy similar to that of FIG. 1, but lacking thecross-shaped clips 2. Instead, releasably attachable beads 27 of the toyare formed as shown in section in FIG. 17. These beads comprise twogenerally hemispherical portions 28, 29 which are joined by a generallyspherical portion 30 and webs 31. A bar magnet 32 is arrangedsubstantially within the spherical portion 30 and is attracted to afurther bar magnet of another of the releasably attachable beads 27.FIG. 18 shows this toy configured as a necklace.

The elements of the toys of the invention can be decorated with printingand/or spray paint.

All forms of the verb “to comprise” used in this specification should beunderstood as forms of the verbs “to consist of” and/or “to include”.

1-12. (canceled)
 13. A doll or figurine comprising a chain of mutuallypivotable elements, at least two of the elements which are not adjacentin the chain being releasably attachable together such that the toy canbe configured in different shapes, and at least one of the elementsbeing formed as part of a representative object such that the toy isconfigurable as the representative object.
 14. The doll or figurineaccording to claim 13, wherein the part comprises feet.
 15. The doll orfigurine according to claim 14, wherein the part comprises a head. 16.The doll or figurine according to claim 15, wherein the head comprisesat least two discs journalled for rotation about a common central axisand each attached to an adjacent element in the chain.
 17. The doll orfigurine according to claim 13, configurable as a male, female, animal,fantasy or cartoon figure.
 18. The doll or figurine according to claim14, configurable as a male, female, animal, fantasy or cartoon figure.19. The doll or figurine according to claim 15, configurable as a male,female, animal, fantasy or cartoon figure.
 20. The doll or figurineaccording to claim 13, wherein the elements include beads.
 21. The dollor figurine according to claim 20, wherein the beads represent at leastone object selected from the group consisting of shells, flowers, leavesand stars.
 22. The doll or figurine according to claim 13, furthercomprising at least one clip for releasably attaching non-adjacentelements of the chain together.
 23. The doll or figurine according toclaim 13, wherein at least two of the releasably attachable non-adjacentelements are located at ends of the chain.
 24. The doll or figurineaccording to claim 13, further comprising at least one clip forreleasably attaching at least two of the releasably attachable elementsof the chain together.
 25. The doll or figurine according to claim 13,wherein at least two of the releasably attachable non-adjacent elementsare releasably attachable by magnetic force.
 26. The doll or figurineaccording to claim 25, further comprising a magnet arrangedsubstantially within at least one of the at least two elements which arereleasably attachable by magnetic force.